Dunleavy Sees Bright Alaska Mining Future
report, $985 million in wages were paid to some 10,800 people either working directly on Alaska mining projects or in service, supply, and other jobs induced by the sector. The average wage for those working directly for Alaska’s mining operations was roughly $130,000, providing hefty paychecks to workers that live in 95 communities across the state. In addition, mining and mineral exploration projects spent $640 million for goods and services provided by more than 400 Alaska businesses; paid $161 million in royalty payments to Alaska Native corporations; paid $83 million in state mining licenses, taxes, rents, royalties, and other fees; paid $44 million in local taxes and payments; gave $3.3 million in donations to around 250 Alaska non-profits; and invested $1.1 million to support education in the state. “These numbers are impressive, but even more impressive is our potential,” said Gov. Dunleavy. “We have so much to offer — we have the richest graphite project in the country, Graphite One on the Seward Peninsula; we a have a rich copper-cobalt prospect at Bornite in the Ambler Mining District; at Bokan Mountain, we know we have many of the rare earth elements required for our high-tech society; Donlin will be one of
By Shane Lasley, North of 60 Mining News “We truly have a bright future for mining in the state if we are allowed to pursue it.” That was the message Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy delivered to the more than 250 people that gathered to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Alaska Mining Day. While commemorating the intrepid pioneers that first ventured North in pursuit of Alaska’s rich mineral potential and celebrating the mining’s current contributions to the state’s economy, Dunleavy said the state’s mining sector’s future is being held back by a federal government that ironically is in need of Alaska’s abundant natural resources. A preliminary look at a report being prepared by the McKinley Research Group shows that Alaska’s mining industry injected more than $2 billion into the state economy during 2021. Commissioned by the Alaska Miners Association and Council of Alaska Producers, “The economic benefits of Alaska’s mining industry” report found that nearly half of the mining money injected into the state’s economy goes directly into the pockets of Alaskans. According to the
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